Getting from Malpensa Airport to Como: The Complete Transportation Guide

Clearing Customs at Malpensa: Budget Extra Time

The EU vs Non-EU Reality

When you land at Malpensa, your customs experience will vary dramatically depending on your passport. I noticed the EU customs line moving at lightning speed while the non-EU line crawled along with what looked like 45+ minute waits during peak arrival times.

If you have an EU passport: Expect 10-15 minutes maximum, often just 5 minutes during off-peak times. The automated gates work efficiently, and officers wave people through quickly.

If you have a non-EU passport: Budget at least 45-60 minutes during peak arrival times (morning and early evening). The lines snake through the terminal, and each traveler requires manual document checking and questioning.

Pro tip: If you’re traveling with someone who has an EU passport, you still must go through your respective lines. Don’t plan your train departure assuming you’ll exit customs together at the same time.

How This Affects Your Train Planning

Here’s the math that matters: If your flight lands at 10:00 AM and you want to catch the 11:30 AM train to Como, that gives you 90 minutes. Sounds reasonable, but let’s break it down:

• Deplaning and getting to customs: 15-20 minutes
• Non-EU customs line: 45-60 minutes
• Collecting baggage: 15-25 minutes
• Finding the train station: 10 minutes
• Buying tickets and finding platform: 10-15 minutes

That’s 95-130 minutes in total, making that 11:30 train risky at best. I recommend booking trains at least 2 hours after your scheduled landing time if you’re non-EU, or 90 minutes if you’re EU.

Buying Trenord Tickets: Talk to Real People

Skip the Machines, Find the Staff

At Malpensa Airport’s train station (follow signs for “Treni” or “Railway”), you’ll see automated ticket machines. While these work fine if you’re familiar with the system, I highly recommend finding the Trenord staff office or ticket counter for your first journey.

Here’s why: The staff will explain your exact route, write down your connection details, and ensure you understand the transfer at Saronno. This five-minute conversation saved me from multiple potential wrong turns.

What to ask the ticket staff:

• “I need to get to Como Lago. Which platforms and which trains?”
• “What’s the connection time at Saronno?”
• “Are there any delays or issues today?”
• “Do I need separate tickets or one ticket for the whole journey?”

In October 2024, a single ticket covered both legs (Malpensa to Saronno, Saronno to Como Lago), costing around €12.80. This may vary, so confirm current pricing.

Keep Your Ticket Accessible

Italian trains require validation before boarding (though Trenord regional trains are less strict about this), and conductors do check tickets during the journey. Keep your ticket in an easily accessible pocket or bag compartment. Don’t bury it under your luggage.

The Malpensa to Saronno Train: What to Expect

Finding Your Platform

This is where things get stressful: platform assignments don’t appear on the departure boards until approximately 20 minutes before the train departs. You’ll see your train listed with a departure time but no platform number, just dashes or a blank where the platform should be.

This causes a predictable scene of tourists and commuters clustering around the departure boards, waiting anxiously for the platform to appear. The moment it does, everyone rushes toward that platform.

Strategy to avoid the chaos:

1. Position yourself near the center of the station with a clear view of the departure board
2. Know the Italian word for your destination (Saronno is easy, but double-check)
3. Don’t sit down in a cafe or step away – those 20 minutes can disappear quickly
4. When the platform appears, move quickly but don’t panic run with luggage

The Journey to Saronno

The train from Malpensa to Saronno takes approximately 35-40 minutes. These are regional trains, not high-speed, so expect a comfortable but basic experience. Seats are usually available, even during busier times, but grab one quickly if you have luggage.

Train conditions:

• Clean and safe
• Air conditioning works (important in summer)
• Luggage storage areas at the ends of cars
• Announcements in Italian (sometimes English)
• Multiple stops before Saronno

Watch the station names as you progress. Saronno is a significant station, so many passengers will be getting off there too. If you’re unsure, look for others who appear to be making connections – you’re likely all headed to the same platforms.

The Saronno Transfer: Stay Alert

Why Saronno Feels Sketchy

Let me be direct: Saronno station has a different vibe than Malpensa Airport. It’s a commuter hub with less tourist infrastructure and more of a gritty, functional atmosphere. In October 2024, I noticed:

• Groups of teenagers and young adults loitering
• Less visible security presence
• Fewer English signs and information
• Darker, more industrial architecture
• Occasional aggressive panhandlers

Is it dangerous? Not necessarily. But it requires urban awareness. Keep your belongings close, avoid making eye contact with people asking for money, and move with purpose toward your connecting train.

Safety tips for Saronno:

• Keep bags zipped and in front of you
• Don’t use your phone while walking (save navigation for stationary moments)
• Stay in well-lit areas with other travelers
• If someone approaches you, a firm “No grazie” (No thank you) and keep walking
• The transfer is usually 10-20 minutes – you won’t be there long

Finding Your Connection to Como Lago

Once you exit your train from Malpensa, look for departure boards showing trains to Como. The platform number situation repeats here: you may need to wait for platform assignment to appear.

The good news: Saronno to Como Lago trains run frequently (every 30-60 minutes during the day), so even if you miss one connection, you won’t wait forever.

Connection timing: If your Malpensa train arrives on time, you typically have 15-25 minutes to make your connection to Como. This is enough time to find the board, identify your platform, and board without sprinting.

What If You Miss Your Connection?

Don’t panic. Check the departure board for the next Como-bound train. Since you have a regional train ticket (not a reservation for a specific train time), you can usually take the next available service. If you’re uncertain, ask station staff “Prossimo treno per Como?” (Next train to Como?).

Saronno to Como Lago: The Final Leg

The Journey

This segment takes 30-40 minutes and passes through smaller towns and suburbs before reaching Lake Como. The scenery improves as you get closer, with glimpses of mountains and, eventually, the lake itself.

The train makes several stops: Fino Mornasco, Grandate, Como Camerlata, and finally Como San Giovanni (also called Como Lago station). Make sure you get off at Como San Giovanni/Como Lago, not Como Camerlata, which is earlier and farther from the city center and ferry terminal.

How to know you’re at the right stop:

• It’s the end of the line for most trains (everyone gets off)
• You’ll see signs for “Como Centro” and “Lago”
• The station is larger than the previous stops
• You can see the city architecture through the station exits

Arriving at Como Lago Station

Station Orientation

Como Lago/San Giovanni station sits about a 10-15 minute walk from the lake and ferry terminal. When you exit the main station doors, you’ll see the city spreading out before you.

Key directions from the station:

• Ferry terminal: 10-15 minute walk downhill toward the lake
• Como Cathedral (Duomo): 12-15 minutes
• Historic city center: 10-20 minutes depending on your accommodation
• Bus stops for other Lake Como towns: Right outside the station

The Rolling Suitcase Problem

Here’s something no other guide told me: walking through Como’s historic center with a rolling suitcase is genuinely unpleasant. The beautiful cobblestone squares that look fantastic in photos become an exhausting obstacle course when you’re dragging wheeled luggage across them.

The constant bumping, rattling, and need to lift your suitcase over uneven stones will test your patience, especially after 2+ hours of travel. Add in the slight uphill grades in some areas, and you’ll arrive at your accommodation sweaty and frustrated.

What I wish I’d done: Packed in a large backpack instead. The difference would have been night and day. If you must bring a rolling suitcase:

• Consider a taxi from Como Lago station to your accommodation (€10-15)
• Choose accommodation within 5 minutes of the station
• Pack as light as possible to make lifting over cobblestones easier
• Take breaks – don’t try to power through with heavy bags

Alternative Transportation Options

Direct Bus Services

Some travelers prefer taking direct buses from Malpensa to Como, skipping the train entirely. These exist but run less frequently and take roughly the same amount of time (90-120 minutes) when accounting for traffic.

Bus pros:

• No transfer required
• Often cheaper (€8-12)
• May drop you closer to your specific accommodation

Bus cons:

• Less frequent departures
• Traffic delays unpredictable
• Fewer luggage storage options
• Can be crowded during tourist season

Private Transfer or Taxi

If you’re traveling in a group or value convenience over cost, private transfers run €120-180 for direct Malpensa to Como service. This makes sense for:

• Groups of 3-4+ people (cost per person becomes reasonable)
• Travelers with mobility issues
• Those with very heavy luggage
• Anyone arriving on a late-night flight when trains are limited

Car Rental

I don’t recommend renting a car unless you’re planning extensive Lake Como exploration beyond the main towns. Parking in Como city is expensive (€15-25/day), limited, and unnecessary since ferries connect all the main destinations. The train system, despite its quirks, handles the airport-to-Como route adequately.

Tips for a Smoother Journey

Before You Leave Home

1. Download the Trenord app – Shows real-time train schedules and platform information
2. Screenshot your route – In case you lose phone battery or internet connection
3. Pack light – Seriously, this journey punishes over-packers
4. Bring water and snacks – Station food is expensive and limited
5. Have euros in cash – Some ticket offices don’t accept foreign cards

At Malpensa Airport

1. Use the bathroom – Clean facilities before you start the journey
2. Fill water bottle – Fountains available in the terminal
3. Confirm platform rules – Ask staff about the 20-minute platform posting system
4. Set a phone alarm – For 25 minutes before your train to ensure you’re near the board
5. Exchange currency if needed – Better rates at the airport than Como tourist areas

During the Journey

1. Stay alert at Saronno – Know your connection platform quickly
2. Keep ticket accessible – Conductor checks happen randomly
3. Watch your belongings – Especially during platform changes
4. Count the stops – Stay aware of approaching stations
5. Ask locals if unsure – Italians are generally helpful to lost tourists

Arriving in Como

1. Orient yourself at the station – Take 2 minutes to identify your direction before walking
2. Consider a taxi for luggage – €10-15 is worth avoiding cobblestone hell
3. Download offline maps – Google Maps works but having offline backup helps
4. Note the station location – You’ll return here for other trips
5. Don’t rush – You made it; take a breath before navigating to accommodation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Booking Trains Too Soon After Landing

The most common mistake I see travelers make: booking a train 60-90 minutes after landing. This assumes everything goes perfectly – your flight lands on time, customs is quick, baggage comes out fast, you find the train station immediately, and you catch your train with ease.

Reality rarely cooperates. Budget at least 2 hours between landing and train departure.

Not Researching the Saronno Transfer

Many travelers book this journey assuming it’s a direct train. When they discover the required transfer at Saronno, they panic about missing connections or getting lost. Know about Saronno before you leave home.

Bringing Too Much Luggage

Pack light for Lake Como. You’ll be moving between towns via ferry, walking on cobblestones, and navigating stairs. Every extra kilogram you pack will make you regret it.

Assuming English Works Everywhere

Malpensa Airport has excellent English. Trenord staff often speak English. Como tourist areas have English menus and signs. But Saronno station and the trains themselves? Italian dominates. Learn basic phrases: “Dove il treno per Como?” (Where is the train to Como?), “Grazie” (Thank you), “Scusi” (Excuse me).

Not Validating Tickets When Required

While Trenord regional trains are less strict than high-speed trains, you’re technically supposed to validate tickets at the yellow machines before boarding. Conductors can fine you for unvalidated tickets, though in practice they’re lenient with confused tourists. Still, better to validate and avoid the issue.

FAQ Section

Q: Is the Malpensa to Como train journey safe for solo travelers?

Yes, generally safe. The trains themselves are secure and well-maintained. Saronno station requires standard urban awareness (watch belongings, stay alert), but I never felt genuinely unsafe. Travel during daylight hours for maximum comfort.

Q: Can I use the same ticket for both train segments?

Yes, when you purchase a ticket from Malpensa to Como Lago, it covers the entire journey including the Saronno transfer. Keep this single ticket for the whole trip.

Q: What if my train is delayed and I miss my Saronno connection?

Take the next available train to Como Lago. Regional train tickets don’t lock you to specific departure times, so you can board the next service without buying a new ticket.

Q: Are there luggage storage facilities at Saronno?

Not readily available or reliable. Saronno is a transfer station, not a destination. Don’t plan on storing luggage there.

Q: How early should I arrive at Malpensa for the return journey to the airport?

For international flights, arrive at Malpensa 3 hours before departure. Work backward: If your flight is at 2:00 PM, you need to be at Malpensa by 11:00 AM, meaning you should leave Como Lago by 9:00 AM to account for the journey and potential delays.

Q: Do trains run late at night?

Train frequency drops significantly after 9:00 PM. The last trains from Malpensa to Como run around 10:00-10:30 PM, but confirm current schedules. If you land after 9:00 PM, seriously consider a taxi or private transfer.

Q: Can I buy tickets on the train?

Technically, no. You should buy tickets before boarding. However, if ticket offices are closed and machines are broken (which happens), conductors will usually sell you tickets on board for a small surcharge. Don’t rely on this.

Q: Is WiFi available on the trains?

Limited and unreliable. Don’t count on WiFi for navigation or communication. Download offline maps and information before your journey.

Bottom Line

The Malpensa to Como train journey via Saronno is manageable but requires more awareness than typical tourist transportation. Budget 2+ hours from landing to arriving in Como, understand the platform announcement system, stay alert during the Saronno transfer, and seriously consider packing in a backpack instead of rolling luggage.

The €12-13 train cost versus €120+ for a private transfer makes this route attractive for budget travelers, but the convenience factor isn’t as high as some blogs suggest. If you’re traveling with multiple people, heavy luggage, or arriving late at night, calculate whether a shared taxi might make more sense.

Most importantly: the journey is doable, you’ll figure it out even if things go slightly wrong, and thousands of tourists make this trip successfully every day. Armed with the information in this guide, you’ll be better prepared than 90% of travelers making the same journey.

Key takeaways:

• Budget 2 hours between landing and train departure
• EU passport holders save significant customs time
• Talk to Trenord staff for route clarification
• Platform numbers appear 20 minutes before departure
• Saronno requires urban awareness but isn’t dangerous
• Rolling suitcases are miserable on Como cobblestones
• Keep your ticket accessible throughout the journey
• Regional tickets allow flexibility if you miss connections

Last Updated: November 2025

Author Experience: Personal travel experience, October 2024